Baffle retention channel for an inductor box of an agricultural implement

ABSTRACT

An agricultural product distribution system is presented includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of and claims the benefitof U.S. application Ser. No. 14/807,675, filed Jul. 23, 2015, entitled“A Baffle Orientation Device for an Inductor Box of an AgriculturalImplement” which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.13/737,792, filed Jan. 9, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,089,088, entitled “ABaffle Retention Channel For an Inductor Box Of an AgriculturalImplement,” which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to ground working equipment, such asagricultural equipment, and more specifically, to a baffle retentionchannel for an inductor box of an agricultural implement.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. These planting implements typically includemultiple row units distributed across the width of the implement. Eachrow unit is configured to deposit agricultural product at a desireddepth beneath the soil surface, thereby establishing rows of depositedproduct. For example, each row unit may include a ground engaging toolor opener (e.g., an opener disc) that forms a seeding path foragricultural product (e.g., seeds) deposition into the soil. In certainconfigurations, a gauge wheel is positioned a vertical distance abovethe opener to establish a desired trench depth for agricultural productdeposition into the soil. As the implement travels across a field, theopener excavates a trench into the soil, and agricultural product isdeposited into the trench. In certain row units, the opener is followedby a packer wheel that packs the soil on top of the depositedagricultural product.

Certain planting implements include a remote agricultural product tank,and a pneumatic distribution system configured to convey product fromthe tank to each row unit. For example, the pneumatic distributionsystem may include an inductor assembly positioned beneath the tank. Theinductor assembly is configured to receive agricultural product from thetank, to fluidize the agricultural product into an air/agriculturalproduct mixture, and to distribute the air/agricultural product mixtureto the row units via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. Each rowunit, in turn, receives the agricultural product from the pneumatichoses/conduits, and directs the agricultural product to a meteringsystem. The metering system is configured to provide a flow ofagricultural product to a tube for deposition into the soil. Byoperating the metering system at a particular speed, a desired productspacing may be established as the implement traverses a field.

In certain agricultural implements, the inductor box of the agriculturalimplement may restrict air flow due to the size, length, and/or shape ofthe air conduits, the inductor box, and other portions of productdistribution system. Other embodiments may include additionalprotrusions in the inductor box that induce the air to flow in aspecific direction and/or at a specific rate. However, the inductorboxes are generally only suitable for use in one product distributionsystem or in one configuration of the pneumatic network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedinvention are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather these embodimentsare intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of theinvention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms thatmay be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In one embodiment, an agricultural product distribution system includesan inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyedair to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. Theconveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product throughports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includesa baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle.Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one openingconfigured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through theports to the multiple distribution units.

In another embodiment, an agricultural product distribution systemincludes a removable baffle selected from multiple removable baffles,wherein each removable baffle includes a plurality of openings and eachremovable baffle has a different baffle configuration than otherremovable baffles of the multiple removable baffles. The agriculturalproduct distribution system also includes an inductor box configured toreceive the agricultural product and conveyed air and to combine theconveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air isconfigured to direct the agricultural product through a plurality ofports to multiple distribution units. Moreover, the inductor assemblyincludes a baffle retention channel configured to receive the removablebaffle. Furthermore, at least one opening are configured to control anamount of the conveyed air directed through the plurality of ports tothe multiple distribution units.

In a further embodiment, a method for conveying agricultural productthrough an agricultural product distribution system includes receiving aremovable baffle into a baffle retention channel. Moreover, the bafflecomprises at least one opening. Additionally, the method also includesreceiving agricultural product and receiving conveyed air configured todirect the agricultural product through one or more ports. Furthermore,the method includes controlling airflow through the one or more portsvia the at least one opening in the removable baffle.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement having a tank and an inductor box, the agricultural implementconfigured to deposit agricultural product into a soil surface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tank and theinductor box of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inductor box ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box ofFIG. 1 having a baffle plate;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box ofFIG. 4 with the baffle plate in a desired orientation; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box ofFIG. 4 with the baffle plate in an undesired orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement 10 having a tank and an inductor box, the agriculturalimplement configured to deposit agricultural product (e.g., seeds and/orfertilizer) into a soil surface. For example, the agricultural implement10 may deposit seed such as corn, grain sorghum, sweet corn, popcorn,sunflower, cotton, beans, sugar beets, peanuts, and/or other suitableseed types of various sizes and shapes. In the illustrated embodiment,the implement 10 is configured to be towed along a direction of travel12 by a work vehicle, such as a tractor or other prime mover. The workvehicle may be coupled to the implement 10 by a hitch assembly 14. Asillustrated, the hitch assembly 14 is coupled to a main frame assembly16 of the implement 10 to facilitate towing of the implement 10 in thedirection of travel 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the frameassembly 16 is coupled to a tool bar 18 that supports multiple row units20. Each row unit 20 is configured to deposit agricultural product at adesired depth beneath the soil surface, thereby establishing rows ofplanted agricultural product. The implement 10 also includesagricultural product tanks 22, and a pneumatic distribution systemconfigured to convey agricultural product from the tanks to the rowunits 20. In certain embodiments, the pneumatic distribution systemincludes an inductor box positioned beneath each agricultural producttank 22. Each inductor box is configured to receive agricultural productfrom a respective tank, to fluidize the agricultural product into anair/agricultural product mixture, and to distribute the air/agriculturalproduct mixture to the row units 20 via a network of pneumatichoses/conduits.

In certain embodiments, each row unit 20 includes a residue manager, anopening assembly, a tube, closing discs, and a press wheel. The residuemanager includes a rotating wheel having multiple tillage points orfingers that break up crop residue, thereby preparing the soil foragricultural product deposition. The opening assembly includes a gaugewheel and an opener disc. The gauge wheel may be positioned a verticaldistance above the opener disc to establish a desired trench depth foragricultural product deposition into the soil. As the row unit travelsacross a field, the opener disc excavates a trench into the soil foragricultural product deposition. The tube, which may be positionedbehind the opening assembly, directs agricultural product from adistribution unit (e.g., metering system and/or hopper) into theexcavated trench. The closing discs then direct the excavated soil intothe trench to cover the deposited agricultural product. Finally, thepress wheel packs the soil on top of the agricultural product with adesired pressure.

While the illustrated implement 10 includes 24 row units 20, it shouldbe appreciated that alternative implements may include more or fewer rowunits 20. For example, certain implements 10 may include 6, 8, 12, 16,24, 32, or 36 row units, or more. In addition, the spacing between rowunits may be particularly selected based on the type of crop beingplanting. For example, the row units may be spaced 30 inches from oneanother for planting corn, and 15 inches from one another for plantingsoy beans.

As discussed in detail below, the inductor box may receive removablebaffle plates that are inter-changeable according to the type of seed tobe planted and/or the configuration/number of row units 20 included inthe agricultural implement 10. For example, in some embodiments, abaffle plate may include smaller openings and/or less openings torestrict airflow through a bypass channel. By restricting the airflowthrough the bypass channel, an increased proportion on air flowsdirectly through the seed, which promotes the delivery of larger seeds.Additionally, in some embodiments, the number and/or position ofopenings in the baffle plate may vary according to the number of rowunits included in the implement 10 and/or the distance between each rowunit 20 and the inductor box. For example, in some embodiments, a baffleplate may include a smaller number of openings or smaller openings toencourage a higher seed to air ratio to be delivered on a longer conduitrun than on a short conduit run. In openings adjacent to short conduits,a larger opening size/number of openings reduces the number of seedsdelivered through the short conduit. However, if the number of row units20 is less than the number of outlet ports in the inductor box, thebaffle plate may omit openings at locations opposite the unused ports.In some embodiments, the interchangeable baffle plates are removable andmay be inserted in a desired orientation within the inductor box using abaffle plate retention channel of the inductor box. In some embodiments,the baffle plate may be disposed against openings in the inductor boxwhen fully inserted. Additionally, in some embodiments, the baffle plateretention channel may include one or more openings that enable debris toevacuate the channel during operation of the inductor box, duringmovement of the baffle plate, and/or during other suitable periods.

Furthermore, certain embodiments of the agricultural implement 10 havinga removable baffle plate include a component that correctly aligns thebaffle plate with the baffle plate retention channel prior to operationof the agricultural implement 10. For example, in some embodiments, thebaffle plate may include a tang that blocks insertion of the baffleplate into the baffle plate retention channel if the baffle plate ismisaligned. In some embodiments, the baffle plate may be positionedwithin the baffle plate retention channel in an improper orientation,but the tang may block full insertion of the baffle plate in anundesired orientation and/or block operation of the agriculturalimplement until the baffle plate is oriented correctly. For example, insome embodiments, an air inlet may be removed from the inductor boxprior to installation of the baffle plate. The tang blocks properreinsertion of the air inlet if the baffle plate is insertedincorrectly, thus at least partially blocking operation of theagricultural implement 10 when the baffle plate is inserted in anundesired orientation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tank 22 and theinductor box 24. As illustrated, the inductor box 24 includes multipleoutlet ports 26 that may be coupled to respective air conduits thatcouple the row units 20 to the inductor box 24. Additionally, theinductor box 24 includes an air supply chamber 28 through which theinductor box 24 receives conveyed air. In some embodiments, theagricultural implement 10 includes an air supply (e.g., a fan or ablower) that directs air through the air supply chamber 28 to theinductor box 24. In certain embodiments, the air supply chamber 28 mayreceive air from any suitable air conveying device. Additionally, someembodiments of the agricultural implement 10 include an air inlet 30that may sealingly couple an air conduit to the inductor box 24 for airto be conveyed into the inductor box 24 from an air conveying device. Insome embodiments, the air inlet 30 may be coupled to the inductor box 24using brackets, screws, bolts, braces, or other suitable couplingmethods that enable a sealed connection between the inductor box 24 andthe air conduit. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the air inlet 30may be coupled to the air conduit using brackets, braces, gaskets, orother suitable methods for coupling a conduit to the air inlet 30.Moreover, in some embodiments, the air inlet 30 may be formed as part ofthe air conduit rather than distinct from the air conduit.

The agricultural product tank 22 includes a lid 32. In some embodiments,the lid 32 may at least partially seal the agricultural product tank 22to enable pressurization of the tank 22 using the air conveyed throughthe air supply chamber 28. Additionally, in some embodiments, theagricultural product tank 22 may expand when the air received throughthe air supply chamber 28 pressurizes the agricultural product tank 22.In embodiments having an expandable agricultural product tank 22, thelid 32 may include a sealing gasket 34 that maintains a sealedconnection between the lid 32 and the agricultural product tank 22. Insome embodiments, the sealing gasket 34 may include a resilient materialsuch as rubber, silicone, and/or other materials suitable for sealingand/or maintaining a seal between the agricultural product tank 22 andthe lid 32. Furthermore, the agricultural product tank 22 may includeone or more hinges 34 that pivotably couple the lid 32 to theagricultural product tank 22. Additionally, the agricultural producttank 22 includes one or more closing brackets 36. In some embodiments,the one or more closing brackets 36 may be positioned around theperimeter of the lid 32. In embodiments having one or more hinges 34,the closing brackets 36 may be omitted from at least one side of the lid32 having a hinge 34. In certain embodiments, one or more closingbrackets 36 may be positioned at a location opposite from the hinges 36.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inductor box24. As illustrated, the inductor box 24 is coupled to the agriculturalproduct tank 22 using one or more bolts 38. In certain embodiments, theagricultural product tank 22 may be coupled to the inductor box 24 usingbolts, brackets, screws, material bonding, and/or other suitable methodsfor coupling the agricultural product tank 22 to the inductor box 24. Asillustrated, the inductor box 24 includes a seed cavity 40 through whichseeds and/or agricultural product enters the inductor box 24 from theagricultural product tank 22. As illustrated, the seed and/oragricultural product flows along a seed flow path 42 and is depositedinto the seed bed 44. The inductor box 24 also receives air from the airsupply chamber 28 and directs portions of the received air into an upperair flow path 46, a seed bed path 48, and an air bypass path 50. Theportion of air flowing through the upper air flow path 46 passes througha seed screen 52 that blocks seeds and/or agricultural product fromentering the air supply chamber 28 from the seed cavity 40. As air flowsthrough the upper air flow path 46, a portion of the conveyed air flowsthrough the seed cavity 40 toward the seed bed 44, thereby urging theseeds toward the seed bed 44 and toward a delivery chamber 54. As theagricultural product enters the fluidization chamber 54, theagricultural product enters the fluidization chamber 55. When theairflow through the fluidization chamber 55 and the delivery chamber 54is sufficient, agricultural product will fluidize and a vortex flow iscreated in the fluidization chamber 55. The vortex separates and mixesthe agricultural product with the airflow before the particulatematerial flows to the delivery chamber 54. If the air flow through thefluidization chamber 55 is sufficient, the agricultural product isconveyed out of the fluidization chamber 55 and into the deliverychamber 54. At the seed bed 44, the portion of air flowing from theupper air flow path 46 and the portion of air flowing through the seedbed path 48 join to urge seeds and/or agricultural product from the seedbed 44 up through the fluidization chamber 55 via a seed lift path 56.As illustrated, the inductor box 24 includes a seed bed screen 58 thatblocks seeds and/or agricultural product from entering the air supplychamber 28 from the seed bed 44. In some embodiments, the inductor box24 may include an air supply chamber screen 60 in addition to, or inplace of, the seed bed screen 58.

Certain embodiments of the inductor box 24 also include an air bypasschannel 62 that enables a portion of the conveyed air to flow from theair supply chamber 28 to the delivery chamber 54 via the air bypass path50. In some embodiments, 50 percent of the air received by the airsupply chamber 28 may be directed into the of air bypass paths 50. Inother embodiments, 40 percent, 30 percent, 20 percent, or less of theair may be directed into the air bypass paths 50. The air flowingthrough the air bypass path 50 urges seeds from the delivery chamber 54through the outlet port 26 and into an air conduit leading to adistribution unit 24 to row unit 20 while indirectly decreasing theamount of airflow through the seedbed, thus reducing particulate densityof the agricultural product/air mixture. As may be appreciated, a sizeof an air flow path between the air supply chamber 28 and the air bypasschannel 62 controls the amount of air passed through the air bypass path50. In other words, a large opening in the air flow path may decreasethe density of seeds/agricultural product entrained within the airstreamFurthermore, as may be appreciated, a small bypass opening may providemore force through the seedbed 44 to urge the seeds and/or agriculturalproduct to the row units 20 relative to a large opening. Accordingly, asmall opening may be more suitable for conveying agricultural productwith a large size (e.g., large seed and/or seeds coated with fertilizer,herbicide, and/or insecticide) and/or product of a particular type(e.g., corn kernels). In the illustrated embodiment, the amount of airpassing through the air bypass path 50 is controlled by a baffle plateinserted into a baffle plate retention channel 64. The baffle plateretention channel 64 includes a lower channel 66 and an upper channel 68that receive a lower end of the baffle plate and an upper end of thebaffle plate, respectively. In some embodiments, the baffle plate may beslidingly inserted into the baffle plate retention channel 64 throughthe air supply chamber 28. Because the agricultural product and/or therow unit configuration may vary, a desired baffle plate may be selectedaccording to the configuration of the row units 20 and/or the selectedagricultural product.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24 ofFIG. 1 having a baffle plate 70 inserted into the baffle retentionchannel 64. In some embodiments, the baffle plate may be formed fromplastic, metal (e.g., steel), or other resilient materials suitable forcontrolling air flow through the inductor box 24. FIG. 4 illustrates theinductor box 24 from a side opposite the side shown in FIG. 3. Asillustrated, the baffle plate 70 includes one or more openings 72. Insome embodiments, each opening may correspond to a respective air bypasschannel 62 and outlet port 26. However, in some embodiments, each airbypass channel 62 may correspond to multiple openings in the baffleplate 70. In other words, more than one opening 72 may be aligned witheach air bypass channel 62. For example, in some embodiments, an airbypass channel 62 may receive conveyed air from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or moreopenings 72. In certain embodiments, the baffle plate 70 may have asingle opening having either a fixed width along the length of thebaffle plate 70 or a variable width opening that varies the widthbetween some of the openings 72. For example, in some embodiments, asingle opening may extend from a first end of the baffle plate to asecond end with a narrow opening at the first end that progressivelywidens as the opening approaches the second end.

Additionally, the number and/or the size of the openings 72 may varyaccording to a size of the agricultural product to be deposited intosoil by the agricultural implement 10 and/or the configuration of theagricultural implement 10. For example, if large seeds or flowchallenged seeds such as coated seeds are to be deposited into soil bythe agricultural implement 10, a corresponding baffle plate 70 havingsmaller openings 72 may be used (e.g., smaller openings than a baffleplate 70 that is designed to be used with small seeds/fertilizer).Additionally, a baffle plate 70 used to distribute large agriculturalproduct may have less openings per air bypass channel 62 than a baffleplate 70 used to distribute small agricultural product. As may beappreciated, less air may flow through a baffle plate 70 that isconfigured to distribute large seeds, thereby reducing the airflowthrough the air bypass channel 62, which in turn increases the amount ofair flowing through the seedbed 44 to urge the agricultural productthrough the outlet port 26 toward a respective row unit 20.

In some embodiments, the number and/or the size of the openings 72 maybe selected according to the length of each air conduit extendingbetween a respective row unit 20 and the inductor box 24. For example, agreater air flow may be provided to convey product through a long airconduit than a shorter conduit (e.g., an air flow sufficient to urge theagricultural product to the row unit). For example, a longer conduitwill tend to convey less airflow than a short conduit due to the largerair restriction. Therefore, in order to provide a desired seed deliveryrate (e.g., seeds/sec), the density of seed within the airflow may beincreased in a longer conduit to achieve the desired delivery rate.Accordingly, in some embodiments, a region of the baffle plate 70corresponding to an air bypass channel 62 leading to a short air conduitmay have more and/or larger openings 72 than a region of the baffleplate 70 corresponding to an air bypass channel 62 leading to a long airconduit. In other words, as the length of an air conduit increases, thesize and/or number of openings 72 in a corresponding region of thebaffle plate 70 decreases. Because not all air conduits coupled to theinductor box 24 have the same length, the number and/or size of theopenings 72 in the baffle plate 70 may vary. For example, in someembodiments, a first region corresponding to one air bypass channel 62may have five openings 72 in the baffle plate 70, while a second regioncorresponding to a second air bypass channel 62 may have eight openings72. Additionally, in some embodiments, a first region corresponding to afirst air bypass channel 62 may have large openings 72, while a secondregion corresponding to a second air bypass channel 62 may have smallopenings 72. In such embodiments, the first air bypass channel 62 maycorrespond to a shorter air conduit than an air conduit of the secondair bypass channel 62.

Debris (e.g., seeds, dirt, dust, etc.) may become lodged in the lowerchannel 66 and/or the upper channel 68 during operation of the inductorbox 24. Accordingly, the lower channel 66 includes multiple breaches 74that enable debris to evacuate the lower channel 66. Additionally, theinductor box 24 includes multiple breaches in the upper channel 68. Bylocating the breaches 74 within each channel 66 and 68, debris mayevacuate the lower channel 66 and/or the upper channel 68 duringoperation of the inductor box 24, during the insertion of the baffleplate 70, and/or during the removal of the baffle plate 70.

The baffle plate 70 is removable and designed to be disposed within thebaffle plate retention channel 64 in a specific orientation.Accordingly, the baffle plate 70 includes a tang 76 that facilitatesinsertion of the baffle plate 70 within the baffle plate retentionchannel 64 in a desired orientation (e.g., blocks insertion in anundesired orientation). Moreover, the tang 76 may block the removal ofthe baffle plate 70 from the baffle plate retention channel 64 when thebaffle plate 70 is fully inserted into the baffle plate retentionchannel 64. In other embodiments, the baffle plate 70 may include arecess, a protrusion, or other physical features that block insertion ofthe baffle plate 70 in an undesired orientation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24 ofFIG. 4 with the baffle plate 70 disposed within the baffle plateretention channel 64 in a desired orientation that facilitates alignmentof the openings 72 with respective air bypass channels 62. In someembodiments, if a user inserts the baffle plate 70 in an undesiredorientation, the openings 72 may be misaligned with each respective airbypass channel 62 (e.g., either vertically or horizontally), therebyresulting in the agricultural implement functioning ineffectively. Forexample, if the baffle plate is inserted in an undesired orientation,the air flow through the air bypass channels may be insufficient todirect agricultural product 10 to the row units 20. Additionally, if thebaffle plate 70 is inserted in an undesired orientation, an opening 72with larger/more apertures may be undesirably aligned with an air bypasschannel 62 that corresponds to a longer air conduit, rather than theintended air bypass channel 62. Accordingly, to facilitate properorientation of the baffle plate 70, the baffle plate 70 includes a tang76 formed on at least one end of the baffle plate 70. As may beappreciated, by positioning the tang 76 on a first end 78 of the baffleplate 70, the tang 76 enables the baffle plate 70 to be inserted intothe baffle plate retention channel 64 such that a second end 80 extendstoward an interior of the air supply chamber 28, and the first end 78remains adjacent to the air inlet 30 and/or an end plate 82 of theinductor box 24. Accordingly, when the baffle plate 70 is inserted fully(e.g., completely) into the baffle plate retention channel 64, eachopening 72 is aligned with to the corresponding air bypass channel 62.

In some embodiments, the baffle plate 70 may include openings that arecloser to a lateral edge 84 of the baffle plate 70. In such embodiments,the vertical position of the openings may vary with the orientation ofthe baffle plate 70. Accordingly, with the baffle plate 70 in thedesired orientation, a vertical height 86 of the openings 72substantially corresponds to a vertical height of the air bypasschannels 62. To establish a desired vertical height 86 of the openings72, the baffle plate 70 includes the tang 76 formed on the first end 78of the baffle plate 70. In some embodiments, the tang 76 is a protrusionextending from a lateral edge 84 of the first end 78 of the baffle plate70. When the baffle plate 70 is inserted with the tang 76 in a properorientation, as illustrated, the baffle plate retention channel 64 fullyreceives the baffle plate 70 within the inductor box 24 such that thebaffle plate 70 does not extend laterally beyond the end plate 82. Afterthe baffle plate 70 is fully inserted into the inductor box 24, the airinlet 30 and/or the respective air conduit may be coupled to theinductor box 24, thereby enabling air to flow through the air supplychamber 28. Thus, when the tang 76 is in the proper orientation, theagricultural implement 10 may efficiently perform the conveyancefunctions previously described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24 ofFIG. 4 with the baffle plate 70 inserted into the baffle plate retentionchannel 64 in an undesirable orientation. As discussed below, in certainembodiments, if the baffle plate 70 is inserted in an undesirableorientation (e.g., the tang 76 extends vertically above the baffle plate70), at least some functions of the agricultural implement 10 may beblocked or inhibited (e.g., partially blocked). For example, in someembodiments, if the baffle plate 70 is inserted in an undesirableorientation, the air inlet 30, an air conduit, and/or other componentsof the agricultural implement 10 may be blocked from correctly couplingto the inductor box 24. As illustrated, the tang 76 blocks the baffleplate 70 from being fully inserted into the baffle plate retentionchannel 64 because the tang 76 contacts the end plate 82. In otherwords, the end plate 82 blocks the baffle plate 70 from being fullyinserted into the baffle plate retention channel 64, thereby causing thebaffle plate 70 to extend laterally beyond the end plate 82. As may beappreciated, contact between the end plate 82 and the baffle plate 70may alert a user that the baffle plate 70 is undesirably oriented withinthe baffle plate retention channel 64. In addition, at least somefunction of the agricultural implement 10 may be blocked due to theundesirable orientation of the baffle plate 70. For example, in someembodiments, when the baffle plate 70 extends beyond the end plate 82,the baffle plate 70 may block a sealing connection from being formedbetween the air inlet 30 and the end plate 82. As a result, air pressuremay be lost via the connection between the air conduit and the inductorbox 24, which may interfere with the agricultural product flowingfunction.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a sensor 88 may be included tomeasure whether the air inlet 30 is effectively coupled to the end plate82 and/or whether the air pressure/flow within the air supply chamber 28corresponds to an expected value. For example, the sensor 88 may detectwhether the air conduit and/or the air inlet 30 contacts the inductorbox 24 using a contact sensor (e.g., electrical contact points).Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sensor 88 may measure whether theair flow/pressure within the inductor box 24, the air inlet 30, and/orthe air conduit is below an expected value in relation to a volume ofconveyed air. Upon detection that the air inlet 30 is not effectivelycoupled to the inductor box 24 and/or the air pressure/flow is below anexpected value, at least some functions of the agricultural implement 10may be blocked. For example, in some embodiments, the fan conveying airto the inductor box 24 may be disabled until the sensed coupling issueis addressed (e.g., the baffle plate 70 is properly oriented within thebaffle plate retention channel 62 and the air inlet is effectivelycoupled to the inductor box 24).

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

1. A method for conveying agricultural product through an agriculturalproduct distribution system comprising: receiving a removable baffleinto a baffle retention channel, wherein the removable baffle comprisesa plate having at least one opening; receiving agricultural product;receiving conveyed air configured to direct the agricultural productthrough one or more ports; and controlling a seed-to-air ratio throughthe one or more ports via the at least one opening in the removablebaffle, wherein controlling the seed-to-air ratio through the one ormore ports is based at least in part on a size and number of the atleast one opening.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising evacuatingdebris via a breach of the baffle retention channel.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, comprising selecting the number and the size of the at least onopening based at least in part on a type of the agricultural product, asize of the agricultural product, or some combination thereof.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is arranged in abaffle configuration based at least in part according to a distancebetween a plurality of distribution units distributing the agriculturalproduct and an inductor box where the conveyed air and agriculturalproduct are combined.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving theremovable baffle into the baffle retention channel comprises receivingthe removable baffle into an upper channel of the baffle retentionchannel that is configured to receive an upper edge of the removablebaffle.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the removable baffleinto the baffle retention channel comprises receiving the removablebaffle into a lower channel of the baffle retention channel that isconfigured to receive a lower edge of the removable baffle.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the removable baffle comprises a plate havingthe at least one opening.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein receivingthe removable baffle comprises receiving the removable baffle into aninductor box of the agricultural product distribution system.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein receiving the agricultural product comprisesreceiving the agricultural product from a tank coupled into the inductorbox.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the agriculturalproduct comprises receiving the agricultural product at the inductor boxvia an inlet port of the inductor box.
 11. The method of claim 10,comprising combining the conveyed air and the agricultural product inthe inductor box.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprising conveying thecombined conveyed air and agricultural product through the one or moreports into a plurality of distribution units.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein conveying the combined conveyed air and agricultural productinto the plurality of distribution units comprises conveying thecombined conveyed air and agricultural product into an agriculturalproduct hopper, a metering device, or some combination thereof of eachdistribution unit of the plurality of the distribution units.
 14. Anagricultural product distribution system comprising: a removable bafflecomprising a plate having at least one opening; an inductor boxcomprising a baffle retention channel configured to receive theremovable baffle, wherein the removable baffle comprises at least oneopening, wherein the inductor box is configured to: receive anagricultural product; receive conveyed air configured to direct theagricultural product through one or more ports; and control aseed-to-air ratio through the one or more ports via the at least oneopening in the removable baffle, wherein controlling the seed-to-airratio through the one or more ports is based at least in part on a sizeand number of the at least one opening.
 15. The agricultural productdistribution system of claim 14, comprising an air supply configured tosupply the conveyed air to the inductor box.
 16. The agriculturalproduct distribution system of claim 14, comprising a plurality ofbaffle retention channels each having a respective at least one opening,wherein the number and the size of the at least one opening is based atleast in part on a type of the agricultural product to be deliveredwhile using the removable baffle, a size of the agricultural product tobe delivered while using the removable baffle, or some combinationthereof.
 17. The agricultural product distribution system of claim 14,wherein receiving the agricultural product comprises receiving corn,soybeans, grain sorghum, sweet corn, popcorn, sunflower, cotton, ediblebeans, sugar beets, or peanuts.
 18. A method for conveying agriculturalproduct through an agricultural product distribution system comprising:receiving a removable baffle into a baffle retention channel, whereinthe removable baffle comprises a plate having at least one opening in aconfiguration that is based at least in part on a size of agriculturalproduct to be delivered; receiving the agricultural product; receivingconveyed air configured to direct the agricultural product through oneor more ports; and controlling a seed-to-air ratio through the one ormore ports via the at least one opening in the removable baffle, whereincontrolling the seed-to-air ratio through the one or more ports is basedat least in part on the configuration of the at least one opening. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the agricultural productcomprises receiving fertilizer, herbicide, or insecticide.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein receiving the agricultural product comprisesreceiving coated seeds.